Remembering the newspaper grandma

Even strangers have the ability to touch our hearts and bring us a kind of joy we may not be able to put into words.

Saw an old man selling cigars outside Chowking at the Insular Life Building in Paseo de Roxas. Since the traffic light was red, I had the chance to look at him for a long time until I have to look away because tears are starting to fill my eyes. I don't know his name but I know who he is. He is the son of the old lady I've met 5 years ago. The old lady whom I called lola (Filipino word for "grandma"),  brings newspapers to the office of the Ayalas and to some tenants at Tower 1 Makati Stock Exchange. She is really old but still worked for her family. She's thin, looked fragile and walked slow like baby steps with her back bent like most people her age.

I remember going to work really early because I wanted to buy her breakfast. I don't know why I did, but it made me happy. There were times I made small talks but cuts the conversation when I know I might cry any moment. Don't get me wrong. Lola was never the "paawa" (asking for pity) kind. She answered my questions with a smile on her face like everything in her life was good.

She brought me joy and at the same time, pain. A part of me breaks to see her working everyday when she could hardly walk and a part of me is happy because I get to see that she can still walk and is very much alive. When I see her, my heart is filled with happiness and when I go back to my office, once I sit on my chair, I couldn't help but cry a little. It looked weird but I didn't care. Smiling and crying at the same time. It didn't matter if she doesn't remember who I am -- the lady who buys her breakfast, who crosses the street with her and makes small talks.

That year, I was excited for my birthday because I planned to invite her. But I didn't see her bringing newspapers anymore. It was her son who I frequently saw then. I learned she was sick and after a few days, she died.

I wish I could have said "thank you" for the joy and for the life lessons she taught me. I wish I could have given more. But some people come to our lives only to teach us lessons. They are not meant to stay.